This former corner store was divided into 2 terrace homes in the past and the result was a poorly planned, haphazard jumble of spaces with 2 'bedrooms' upstairs that you couldn't stand up in. My brief was to turn it into a much more liveable family home with improved living spaces, an injection of light and three new bedrooms upstairs. The owners had recently completed renovations to the kitchen and bathroom so these had to remain to stay in budget.

Relocating the stair and rationalising the entry was the key to providing an improved living area and more of a sense of home upon entry. A sunken living area was adapted whilst improving connections to and from the space. Large skylights were added over the kitchen / dining and stair to improve daylight access. Upstairs 3 generous bedrooms, storage and and en-suite were provided. A central cut out in the form maintains sunlight access to the living spaces below and provides a private outlook for the second bedroom.

The scheme was approved by council despite being over three times the allowable area which was a result of a low impact first storey addition that mimics the height of its neighbour.